Chapter 147

“Do you even deserve that?”

Nothing chokes you up quite like a beam of light breaking through utter darkness.

Especially when that light comes from someone you thought was toast.

The moment the unexpected voice rang out, Eleanor’s heart nearly took a vacation, and she instinctively opened her eyes.

What greeted her was a scene so absurd it felt like a bad joke.

Countless black threads shot through the air from all directions, piercing through the bodies of Fourth Prince Joshua’s four Third Stage Transcendents in an instant.

They didn’t even have a chance to put up a fight before being skewered by that treacherous, invisible power.

Pained grunts escaped their lips as they collapsed, blood splattering everywhere.

“Ah!!!”

Before they could wrap their heads around what happened, the onlooking students gasped, with several noble girls—who had never seen anything bloody—covering their mouths in shock, pale as sheets as they watched.

Clearly, no one had seen this shocking turn of events coming at what was supposed to be a lively banquet.

Except for Eleanor.

Having lived with the boy she called “brother” for over a decade, she knew every inch of him like the back of her hand.

How could she possibly fail to recognize that voice that had haunted her thoughts day and night?

“.”

In an instant, the tears welling in her eyes spilled down her cheeks, splattering onto the ground.

Feeling the supernatural force that had bound him disappear, Eleanor stumbled and turned toward the entrance.

Her eyes mixed with hope and trepidation.

As if she feared that what had just happened was nothing but a dream.

In her line of sight, the black-haired youth arrived backlit, his eyes a familiar shade of blue mingled with solace and encouragement.

As if to say, “You’ve worked hard.”

“Brother?”

Eleanor’s soft lips trembled, her body swaying as if she might faint from the unexpected joy.

But even so, she lifted her skirt and staggered forward.

Wearing high heels, she kicked off her shoes, ignoring the astonished stares around her, and dashed towards the black-haired youth with her delicate bare feet, “Thud, thud, thud!”

In her wake, silent tears fell, signaling her excitement and joy.

“Brother!”

Like a fledgling swallow diving into a warm nest, she desperately tried to bury herself in his embrace.

For this moment, she had dreamt and waited too long.

And now, all her hopes had finally borne beautiful fruit.

As their eyes met, Lynn—who had unknowingly crashed this high-society soiree—felt a rush of calm wash over him.

Despite having previously suppressed his emotions with the excuse of being a time traveler, fearing Eleanor might regard him as an unworthy brother for whatever reasons, he couldn’t deny the deep bond of blood when he saw the unshakeable affection in her eyes.

This stirring within him was all too real.

And clearly, his sweet little sister didn’t need any promises or verbal comfort right now.

With that thought, Lynn opened his arms and embraced the petite girl that flew into him.

As her familiar fragrance enveloped him, he felt a long-lost peace settle in his heart.

This was something even Her Highness the Princess and Witch Miss couldn’t provide.

“Brother… I… I missed you so much!”

The girl in his arms wept softly, mumbling her words.

Lynn said nothing, gently stroking her little head, allowing her to express her emotions.

Time seemed to freeze in that moment.

Of course, it wasn’t that Eunice, Fourth Prince Joshua, or the onlooking students were actually frozen in time.

It was merely that they were all caught in a state of unprecedented shock.

How could it be him?!

As Eunice stood there, dazed, staring at the tall figure that seemed to stride through a storm, she couldn’t believe it.

This was someone thought to be exiled to the fringes, perhaps even dead in that upheaval, now popping up at the banquet like a bad prank.

Almost as if to say, “Just kidding!”

Yet nobody found it funny.

Was this some sort of resurrection?

Or was it…?

For some reason, Eunice’s heart raced, her face suddenly anxious.

She recalled the proud and powerful boy who always felt like the sun to her, the one who left her feeling helpless; memories flooded her mind.

No, why am I feeling this way?!

He’d had his divine genes stripped away and was sent to the border!

Even if he returned to the Imperial Capital now, and even if he latched onto the leg of the low-key Third Princess, he’d only be a stray dog making a last-ditch effort!

After all, the transplant surgery had been performed by Fourth Prince himself!

With that realization, Eunice instinctively glanced at Fourth Prince Joshua.

But to her surprise, the bespectacled youth frowned deeply, clearly perplexed by the scene before him.

“Instantaneously taking down four Third Stage Transcendents means that’s at least a Level 2 Sealed Item… but hang on, an item of that level would require at least a Third Stage rank to control, so how the heck is he…”

Fourth Prince Joshua didn’t seem angry about the injury to his guards.

In fact, he didn’t even look down at them, his gaze glued to the youth.

No one knew the implications better than him; the Church of Heavenly Justice had personally stripped Lynn of all his divine genes, branding him as a forsaken one, destroying his chances of becoming a Transcendent again.

Moreover, Felix had probably deceived him.

Clearly, this kid was still alive, yet Felix reported he was dead.

What a schemer.

Next time, let’s end all cooperation with him.

With that thought, a contemplative look crossed Fourth Prince Joshua’s face.

But the onlooking students didn’t have a clue about the grudges between these individuals.

Not a few gasps echoed as they saw the boy’s handsome and exquisite features.

“It’s him!”

“Senior Lynn? He… he’s back?”

“Weren’t we told he had his divine genes stripped and became a regular person? How could he use such a powerful Sealed Item just now?!”

“Is he back in Glosting to…?”

This caused whispers to erupt among the students.

The once silent hall buzzed with chatter while the main characters, Lynn and Eleanor, conveniently ignored the commotion.

After an unknown time crying, even the fabric near her chest soaked through, Eleanor finally lifted her head, blinking her swollen eyes adorably at her brother.

“Brother, I thought…I thought I’d never see you again!”

“What on earth happened to you this past year?”

It seemed she had finally found her anchor; the previous stubbornness faded away, replaced with a tone of dependency as she instinctively pouted.

In response, Lynn gently wiped away the remaining tears at the corners of her eyes, ruffling her hair. “I’ll tell you everything when we get home.”

“But right now, we have something more important to deal with.”

His voice took on a cooler tone, and still holding Eleanor, he raised his gaze toward the distance.

Feeling the calm determination in him, Eunice instinctively averted her gaze, suddenly realizing he was just a fallen dog from a broken family, her expression stiffened into a glare.

Yet Fourth Prince Joshua remained unfazed, stepping forward with hands clasped behind him.

“Lynn Bartleon, you have some nerve,” Joshua said with a smile. “Knowing someone is out to assassinate me, you dare openly take out my four Transcendent guards?”

“According to the Imperial Code, you ought to be sentenced to death.”

“Brother, we should just go home!” Eleanor noticed the dire situation and gazed at him pleadingly, “Please don’t cause any conflict, I’m fine…”

“Just stand aside and watch.”

Lynn patted her head again, shielding her behind him.

As his grand return to the capital initiated an extravagant “display,” it had to be impressive enough to instill some anxiety and fear in specific individuals.

“The Imperial Code?” Lynn shook his head, responding to Joshua. “I thought Prince Joshua was just a scholarly bookworm with a penchant for unconventional methods, but it turns out you’re quite the jokester too.”

“Oh? How do you figure?”

Fourth Prince didn’t get angry; he appeared curious.

Lynn calmly fixed his gaze on him: “If we’re really going to discuss the Imperial Code, how can someone like you, as the instigator of the ‘Ruins Project,’ dare to stand here and talk to me?”

It was almost a pointed jab.

And the moment Joshua heard those four words, his facade of composure shattered into pieces.

A flicker of shock crossed his eyes, quickly followed by a flash of murderous intent.

This was intel he thought only the Emperor and a select few high-ups knew.

How did this kid find out?

Was there a leak from within?

Countless speculations raced through Joshua’s mind.

The atmosphere turned stifling, as if a fierce clash was about to erupt any second.

Everyone was too afraid to breathe—a mere drop of blood could splatter onto them.

Fortunately, after a moment, Lynn suddenly let out an enigmatic laugh: “But you know, Your Highness has a good dad, so it’s not much of a surprise.”

？！

The students around them were drenched in cold sweat the moment they heard that line.

Is he throwing shade at the magnificent Sixth Saint Roland, His Majesty Calderon?!

Is he out of his mind?!

Everyone exchanged glances, each one stunned into silence, not daring to intervene at such a critical moment.

Furthermore, without their master’s permission, they had no excuse to leave, forced to endure and observe this “show.”

Clearly, no one could fathom what the Bartleon heir had come back to do after a year and some.

“Brother…”

Eleanor timidly hid behind him.

Lynn gently squeezed her small hand to offer comfort.

After a brief silence, Fourth Prince didn’t reveal the anticipated rage; instead, he took off his glasses and began wiping them with the sleeve of his coat: “In a way, you’re right.”

“I do have an impressive father, while you don’t. That’s the gap between us.”

“So, Lynn Bartleon, what do you intend to achieve by barging into our banquet and ruining my dance with your lovely sister?”

Putting his glasses back on, Fourth Prince Joshua regained his initial calmness and wisdom.

“While I scoff at your earlier statement, there are some matters where we should at least acknowledge the law on the surface.”

“I’m here today to ask you for a ruling on a public case—a matter of justice.”

Lynn chuckled.

“You want me to impart justice?” Fourth Prince’s eyes widened slightly in surprise, then he chuckled coldly, “You’re quite the character.”

“Well then, let’s hear it.”

Instead of responding to him, Lynn turned his gaze to Eunice, who had been ignored the entire time.

She felt humiliated by being overlooked, and anger flared in her, fists clenched tight.

Being a member of the Mosgra Family, she never expected the Bartleon heir, who had already lost to her family in their previous quarrels, to bear such a haughty attitude.

As their gazes met, the black-haired youth sported a rather creepy smile.

Then he casually clapped his hands.

Immediately after, a noisy crowd rushed in, led by dozens of border guards dragging in several individuals with burlap sacks over their heads, filling up a large space in the hall.

The onlooking students instinctively pressed against the walls, eager to avoid being in the same room as those rugged individuals.

At Lynn’s signal, the leader shoved a bound servant forward, kicking him at the back of the knees, causing the sack-covered individual to flop down to the ground with a yelp.

Joshua squinted, observing this scene in silence.

“You uncouth ruffian! Get out of the banquet hall before I kick you out myself!”

Eunice seethed, bit back her fury. “With things exploding like this, and the guards still not showing up, it’s clear they’ve been dealt with.”

Previously, her brother Dalian had fallen at this kid’s hands, and it was rumored that he had even forged connections with the Third Princess and Duke Tilius.

Perhaps this so-called waste had finally become something significant.

Now that Sister Irina was still at the borders, they would have to call in family reinforcements to sort this out.

With an unanticipated turn of events developing, Eunice felt an itch of anxiety.

Yet Lynn had no desire to converse with her at all.

He removed the burlap sack from the person’s head, revealing an older woman’s tear-stained face.

Upon seeing the head maid Maria’s weeping face, a sense of impending dread blossomed in Eunice’s heart.

What was this guy planning?!”